Eleven weight-for-age gallopers make up the field for this year’s $200,000 Group 2 Back to Caulfield P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) that features the return of last season’s winner Puissance de Lune.

Darren Weir’s exciting grey is first-up off a 42 week spell having missed the autumn due to a tendon injury sustained during last year’s Cox Plate where the son of Shamardal ran 12th behind Shamus Award.

Puissance de Lune pays $3.30 through Ladbrokes.com.au, who are offering money back on the race if your horse runs second, but needs to overcome history as only one horse has secured successive editions of the race – Tauto (1971-72).

The main dangers according to Ladbrokes and their PB Lawrence Stakes betting markets are Peter Moody’s Blamey Stakes winner Lidari ($5) after the same double Puissance de Lune won last season, Star Rolling ($6.50) for Peter Morgan & Craig Widdison and Chris Waller’s 2013 Makybe Diva Stakes winner Foreteller ($7 in from $7.50).

So are these the horses to lock into your PB Lawrence Stakes selections?

Or is there value to be found further down the markets from the likes of consistent sprinter Zamorar ($8) who ran third at Flemington in last Saturday’s Aurie’s Star or $15 shot Gig coming off a second to Thiamandi in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes at the track?

1st

Lots to like about Moody’s resuming French import who won the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington in March, a race that has proved a telling form line in recent years including last season with Puissance de Lune winning it and then the Lawrence Stakes, this Acclamation stallion is after that same double and looking to improve on two below par runs that rounded out the autumn, handles a Slow track (5-2-0-0) but doesn’t want it Heavy, first-up record is very good (6-3-1-0) and history shows racing first-up in the Lawrence Stakes is advantageous, also placed second over this track and distance, needs to be good under WFA but if the pace works to their advantage can seal the deal late.

2nd

Deserving favourite based on his form last season, won it first-up last year and while history shows doing so again on Saturday is tough to do, this is a tough horse backing up from a 42 week layoff, Brad Rawiller reunites and that is in their favour, come from last to first 12 months ago and should just be fit enough after country track work to get close again this year, will improve though and prime for a Memsie – Makybe Diva Stakes assault over the coming weeks.

3rd

Early money coming for the Shawn Mathrick-trained Commands mare who has been in fine form over the past month running third to Akavaoroun over the Flemington mile and then second to Thiamandi in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) here on July 26, great record at Caulfield with five seconds from six starts here, handles a Slow track (5-0-2-2), form around some nice types, no issue with the distance and solid Place Rate (58%) to suggest she can run in the money again here having done so when second in both her previous 1400m Caulfield starts.

Fancy a horse for the PB Lawrence Stakes and want them at their Win price but unsure if they will finish first or second?

Take the ‘risk’ of a fixed win bet online at Ladbrokes.com.au and if it finishes second on Saturday get your money back as a bonus bet up to $50!

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